STEP to IFC Converter

step_to_ifc.py

#!/usr/bin/env python
"""
STEP to IFC Converter
Uses FreeCAD to convert STEP files to IFC format.

Usage:
    step_to_ifc.py <input_step_file> [output_ifc_file]

If output_ifc_file is not specified, the IFC file will be created
in the same directory as the input STEP file with the same name.
"""

import sys
import os
import argparse

# FreeCAD imports
import FreeCAD as App
import Part
import importIFC


def print_progress(message, percent=None):
    """Print progress message to stdout for the calling application to parse."""
    if percent is not None:
        print(f"PROGRESS:{percent}:{message}", flush=True)
    else:
        print(f"STATUS:{message}", flush=True)


def convert_step_to_ifc(input_path, output_path=None):
    """
    Convert a STEP file to IFC format.

    Args:
        input_path: Path to the input STEP file
        output_path: Path for the output IFC file (optional)

    Returns:
        str: Path to the created IFC file
    """
    # Validate input file
    if not os.path.exists(input_path):
        raise FileNotFoundError(f"Input file not found: {input_path}")

    # Determine output path
    if output_path is None:
        base_name = os.path.splitext(input_path)[0]
        output_path = base_name + ".ifc"

    print_progress("Initializing FreeCAD...", 0)

    # Create a new document
    doc = App.newDocument("StepToIfc")

    try:
        print_progress("Loading STEP file...", 10)

        # Import the STEP file
        Part.insert(input_path, doc.Name)

        print_progress("Processing geometry...", 30)

        # Recompute the document
        doc.recompute()

        # Check if any objects were imported
        if len(doc.Objects) == 0:
            raise ValueError("No geometry found in STEP file")

        print_progress(f"Found {len(doc.Objects)} object(s)", 50)

        print_progress("Exporting to IFC format...", 60)

        # Export to IFC
        # Get all objects to export
        objects_to_export = doc.Objects

        # Use importIFC to export
        importIFC.export(objects_to_export, output_path)

        print_progress("Verifying output...", 90)

        # Verify the output file was created
        if not os.path.exists(output_path):
            raise RuntimeError("IFC export failed - output file not created")

        print_progress(f"Conversion complete: {output_path}", 100)

        return output_path

    finally:
        # Clean up - close the document
        App.closeDocument(doc.Name)


def main():
    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
        description="Convert STEP files to IFC format using FreeCAD",
        formatter_class=argparse.RawDescriptionHelpFormatter,
        epilog="""
Examples:
    step_to_ifc.py model.step
    step_to_ifc.py model.step output.ifc
    step_to_ifc.py "C:\\Models\\part.step" "C:\\Output\\part.ifc"
        """
    )

    parser.add_argument(
        "input",
        help="Path to the input STEP file"
    )

    parser.add_argument(
        "output",
        nargs="?",
        default=None,
        help="Path for the output IFC file (optional, defaults to same location as input)"
    )

    args = parser.parse_args()

    try:
        result_path = convert_step_to_ifc(args.input, args.output)
        print(f"SUCCESS:{result_path}")
        return 0
    except FileNotFoundError as e:
        print(f"ERROR:File not found: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
        return 1
    except ValueError as e:
        print(f"ERROR:Invalid input: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
        return 2
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"ERROR:Conversion failed: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
        return 3


if __name__ == "__main__":
    sys.exit(main())